Hike: Pipestone Trust Land

September 11, 2016 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm MDT

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Due to the recent rain we are changing the hike this Sunday. Karen will now be leading a hike at the Edmonton & Area Land Trust “Pipestone Creek” site, exploring its many mowed trails. Karen’s pictures from scouting the trail September 9th, 2016.

In Edmonton we will meet at the northwest corner of the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot on Calgary Trail & carpool (leaving at 9 a.m.). But check the website prior to departure in case of a change (e.g., weather forecast, trail conditions).

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike contact the Hike Leader, Karen B., at 780-642-6372.

Hike Change: Mactaggart Sanctuary

After much deliberating, we are going to cancel the MacTaggert Sanctuary hike this Sunday & substitute the Pipestone Trust Land trails in its place. The MacTaggert Sanctuary trail is already wet and muddy with the recent rain – with its bentonite clay base it will take a while to dry in parts (2 days at least). That combined with the forecast of additional rain over the weekend would result in unsafe conditions, especially along the steeper sections of trail and the water is already higher that we would like, making the crossing of the creek on the rocks somewhat iffy, with the rocks coated with clay. We may do it later at a later date, when the conditions are more favourable for a hike.

This week’s hike is in Edmonton’s own Mactaggart Sanctuary, along the Whitemud Creek from 23 Avenue NW south towards the Anthony Henday Drive. The hike’s length will depend on trail conditions; it could be as much as 12 km round-trip. In any case be prepared to experience perhaps the most special natural area in the city. The creek has carved a deep ravine that has clearly changed course several times since the last ice age. It’s a place to return to repeatedly, at any time of the year. The trail will cross at least one, and perhaps two, beaver dams (one of them quite ancient). Wildlife abounds. Bring hiking boots if you have them; the trail is rougher than what you commonly experience on city trails.

Although we will gather as usual at, and carpool from, the northwest corner of the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot (on the southeast corner of 51 Avenue NW and Calgary Trail), it is also possible to drive directly to the trail head parking lot alongside the creek, on the south side of 23 Avenue NW just west of 119 Street. You can enter the trail head parking lot only by driving east on 23 Avenue. However, parking there is limited and there is no charge to carpool from our usual gathering spot.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit this webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, page 113, or contact the Hike Leader, Karen B., at 780-642-6372.